Page 29 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Once they exited the room, I blew out a breath and slumped into the throne. Epiphany snagged the crown out of her hair and tossed it onto her lap. “Well, you were right about him.”

I dropped my head where I could meet her gaze. “What do you mean?”

“He’s an asshole.”

I chuckled. “He’s a deity, Pip. It’s basically the same thing.”

9

Apollo

The attendants pulled the door shut to the suite—a space furnished with ivory fabrics and white silk curtains that allowed the flaxen light of the setting sun to sweep into it. Two rooms next to the entrance held beds with silk-lined headrests and piles of cloudy pillows. A private washroom defined by granite tiles and stretching columns connected on the other side housing a marble wash tub large enough for multiple people. How many attendants must it take to fill that monstrosity with warm water?

Temi dropped her bag on the floor and turned on me. “What the hell was that?”

I crossed my arms. “What are you talking about?”

“Are you kidding me? Apollo, you acted like an ass just now.”

“Have you ever considered it might not be an act?”

Her nose flared. “I don’t care what bad blood you and Hyacinth have between each other, you can find yourself some damn manners and not shame me.”

“Temi—”

“Stop.” She flung a hand up. “You’re better than this.”

I gestured towards the door. “You see what a parading peacock he is. How is he even mortal? He’s too perfect looking—like a damn god.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re upset with him because he’s attractive?”

“I meant that as a slight. Seriously, Temi… sitting there in his golden throne in his fancy robe in his ridiculous palace while there are people on the streets of his city starving?”

She frowned. “I don’t disagree. But, that’s not the point. You’re with me on this trip. Can you try to act like we aren’t the god-cast-offs that we are?”

She turned, but I snagged her arm. “Is that what you feel like we are?”

She dropped her head to the side. “No. I’m just frustrated. But what would you call us? I don’t even know who my father is. Our mother is dead. And your father—”

“—is a bastard. I suppose we’re a mess.”

“Maybe.” She elbowed me, but then her eyes flashed. “We don’t have to behave like it, though.”

I sighed and dropped onto a settee that had a line of absurd tassels along the edge.

Temi twisted her lips. “I’m going to take a proper bath and wash my hair.”

I kicked an ankle over my knee. “Thank you for announcing that to me.”

A muscle in her jaw jumped. “What I’m saying is that I need several hours, and I will not be interrupted. If you are bleeding out on the floor, do not call for me. Which means you need to manage yourself for a while without making a fool of us both. Can you accomplish that?”

“Yes.”

Temi raised her eyebrows and scanned over me. “I’m serious.”

“Hades’ realm. I’ll just sit here on this stupid couch the whole time. Will that satisfy you?”

“That would be ideal.”